Government Relations

Senate Bill 460, a bill which regulates breeders and infringes on the rights of responsible dog...

Senate Bill 460, a bill which regulates breeders and infringes on the rights of responsible dog owners, passed the North Carolina Senate Commerce Committee today. The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee. The Finance hearing could be scheduled for as early as next Tuesday. It is essential that responsible dog owners and breeders contact the Senate Finance Committee TODAY and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 460.

The American Kennel Club is appalled by the conditions in which some dogs are kept and abhors animal cruelty. Senate Bill 460, however, punishes responsible breeders and owners and does nothing to help the dogs kept in deplorable conditions. North Carolina already has laws that address animal cruelty and mistreatment.

The AKC opposes several other provisions of Senate Bill 460, including:

A vague definition of commercial breeder. As amended, SB 460 defines "commercial breeder” as anyone who owns or maintains at least 15 intact females of any age for the primary purpose of the sale of the offspring. This definition could include anyone who has bred even a single litter of puppies, including fanciers and show breeders.

Warrantless inspections of private property. The bill allows law enforcement and local animal control to search the homes and private property of anyone who falls under the definition of "commercial breeder”.

Directive for the NC Department of Agriculture to develop standards of care with no public input. SB 460 calls for the Department of Agriculture to develop care and condition policies for dogs belonging to commercial breeders. This does not allow for any input from dog breeders and others who are experts in animal care.

Additionally, the fiscal note attached to this bill states that this unnecessary measure would cost the state over $400,000 a year. At a time when the state is furloughing employees and facing a projected $3 billion budget gap, improved enforcement of existing laws would be a better investment for North Carolina.

How You Can Help:

Contact the members of the Senate Finance Committee TODAY. Tell the members of the committee that you oppose this bill, and urge them to oppose Senate Bill 460. The contact information is as follows: